Apparatus for printing from negatives onto sensitized surfaces



Oct. 25, A1927.

Y G. REIN APRTUS 4FOR PRINTING FROM NEGTIVES ONTO SBNSITIZEYD SURFCBS Filed Feb. 13. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Geo/ 9e Rein gn'umdoc les' G. REIN APPARATUS FOR PRINTING FROM NEGATIVES ONTO SENSITIZED SURFACES ocn's'. 1921. l 1,646,595

Filed Feb. 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 25, 19727. i'

UNITED STATES GEORGE RErN,oE BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. .i

APPARATUS EoR PRINTING ERoM NEeArrvEs oNTo sENsrTIzEE suREAoEs.`

Application filed February 13, 1925.` 'Serial No.V 8,876.

My invention relates to an apparatus for` printing from a negative onto Vsensitized suri Y faces.

Among the objects of'my invention are: To produce an apparatus for printing from a negative onto a ksensitized surface, vcomprising a vacuum frame so constructed and arranged that al high degree of intimate contact is secured between the negative and the sensitized surface, through-the obtainment of apractically perfect vacuum therebetvveen,vand by means of which all unauthorized light rays are completely prevented from yreaching said surface.

To produce an apparatus of the character described which is so` constructed that' the time required for the setting-up operationis materially reduced. y

To'produce a vacuum frame of the character described having` means for readily adjustingthe negative in proper register p osition, thereby assuring the symmetrical printing of the design from the negative onto the .sensitized surface,v irrespective of any asymmetrical position of the design 0n the negative. l

My invention has special application to the so-c'alled step and repeat machines which are utilized in the art to effect repeat designs from a negative onto a sensitized metallic plate, such as zinc, secured inthe machine in any approved manner. The negative is supported in a suitable holder provided With sealing means and after bcing placed in proximity to the desired portion of the sensitized plate, a vacuum is created in the space, included between the sealing means and the surfaces of the negative and the plate in order to produce an mt1- mate contact of 'said surfaces. The design on the negative is then transferred to the plate by exposing the former to rays from a suitable light source, after Which the vacuum released and the negative stepped along to i the neXt succeedingportion of the sensitized surface.

The advantages of the foregoing method have long been recognized in the art, but considerable difficulty has been eXperienced heretofore in obtaining a satisfactory vac num, after laborious and time consumA ing efforts to that end, and in excluding;

rant light rays. The former, to a high de gree, is absolutely necessary for edecting an unblurred transfer of fine designs, through 'achieving an intimate contact of the negative and plate surfaces. I have ascertained that by my arrangement of the sealing means, a nearly perfect'vacuum can be obtained Without consuming more time than is usually required for its register position. l 1

yThe exclusion of light rays, other than those which passthrough thenegative, is an additional requirement of an eic'ient vacuui'n frame, as noted above. Stray light rays'produce strealrsacross the sensitized plate when placing the negativein p I the negative is moved to its nextsucceeding y printing position. Theseraysa-re usually due either to a faulty sealing arrangement or theyl leak through the holes occupied by the bolts securing the negative clamps.A These defects are completely eliminated through the use of my invention. 4

A further disadvantage of vacuum `frames now in use is their inability to readily .place in register position, a negativeon which the design isl slightly asymmetrical relative to the negative. If not adj-usted, such a design, when transferred to the plate, Will vappear in a cantedposition, inasmuch as'the negative holder proper is asymmetrical With respect to the plate. "By my improved holder, hoive ever, I am enabled to quickly register a negative, having a design placedaskevv, Without sacrifcingthe vacuum required for effective printing or permitting the influx of errant light rays. l

-My invention also comprises a means for printing onto a portion of aV sensitized surface which is smaller' in area than thatenl closed Aby the printing frame. ent operating conditions, the support for'the negative is of a fixed size and it therefore follows that, when the design occupies a .relatively small portion of the negative surface, not only is great ldifficulty experiencedin placing the negative in proper register`position, out also in obtaining an leffective vacuum, particularly when the negative extends beyond the edge of the sensitized surface. "l

disturbing; factor. Accordiagte rfi-grieven: tien a plurality of negative are pret authorized. iight raysk are also a' further n nl vided, each of which is adapted to carry a negative of one size, all of said holders differing in size. Said holders are so constructed that they may be nested one with the other, the whole assembly being mounted on a suit-able frame which is carr'cd in any approved manner b y the machine to which reference has heretofore been made. Therefore, it is possible by vmy method'to select a negative commensurate with the size of the design "to be "transferred, mount the same in its holder, secure the latter to a holde'rlofthe next larger size, said last named holder being th'enfm'ounted inea holder of the next lar.; size,tl1isfassembly being continued basetframe Yis reached, The negative islby this'rnethodtnot only positively held relative to. tlie sensitized surface, but it is also ob- ;vioti-sthat'the problem of obtaining an effectiveiseal is comparatively simple, due to the small varea encloscd.

Allef the foregoing ladvantages have' been incorporated rin a vacuum fra-Inc in which la negative :may be mounted and ineffective sealfobtafined in a time not greater lthan that necessary fior placing the negative in registerposition. This result has been achieved bya new arrangement ofthe negative, the sea-lingmembersyand the means .for securing the negative. My inventionis not limited #for use with the machines above noted, but `possees general application inthe art of contact printing as will become more -appare-nt hereinafter.

These and further objects of'my invention will beset forth inthe following vspecification, reference being had to the accompanyin'g-dr-awings, and the novel means by which said 'objects are effectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

v In the drawings 1 .-n

Fig'. lisa pla-nr,r view of my improved vvacuum :frame for use in connection with the printing fromv negatives smaller than the -sizenormally, mounted in said frame.

-isga section along the line 22 in F 1 looking in the direction of 'the arrows. 4

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view ofv-a portion ofF-ig. l showing the means for adjusting a negative on which the design has been placed asymmetrica-lly. -4 is 'a section along the line 4 4 in Fig. f3 looking in the direction of the ar- IOWS- r Fig.5 isa view 'similar to 4, but showing the negative mounted on the next larger A'holder in size.

Fig. 6 is a view of la portion of 1 looking in `the direction ofthe arrow (i and showing the relation between rthe abutting` edges 4of the negative clamps.

Fig.y 7 is aperspective view of a portion of a4 :negative clamp.

.L until the y In the drawings: 10 represents a negative holder frame which is provided with an opening 11 of'y K said frame will be supgorted upon the hori zontally andvertically movable carriage and appropriate means will also be provided for securing-- the sensitized plate, hereinafter refer-red to,in such a manner as to cooperate with the negative mounted in said frame in the'nsual manner. However, y'it is not `required that my apparatus be used with the foregoing machine for adequate results `rmay* 4be obtained in the general art of contact `:printing and in suoli cases, vthe frame 10 may or may not 'be `employed as desired.

Y A negative holder Y13y provided with a flange 14 is Amonnted on the frame 12 and said flange is provided with a plurality of holes l5 each ofwhich register with a corf responding` hole 12in the `frame 10. Bolts suoli yas 16 lsecure said holder and frame together. The holder 1,3 is provided with an opening 17 similar to the opening 11, but smaller than the latter and with a channel 18 adjacent the edge of said opening for a purpose hereinafter explained. The channel 18 is formed'in the holder 13 between the edges of the opening 17 and a Yplurality of holes 19. Said holder is adapted to secure aV negative of one 4size inamanner hereinafter explained. y

A negative holder 2O provided with a liange 21 is mounted within the opening 17 ofthe holder 1-3, said flange extending under the main body portion 22 thereof. A Aplurality of holes 23 is formed in said liange. each of said holes registering with a hole 19 in the holder 13. Bolts such as 24 provided withl the nuts 25 Vserve to clamp the holders y13 and 2O together, but as the diameter of the hole l19 is larger than the diameter of the body ofthe bolt 2i for a vpurpose hereinafter explained, saidbolt is provided with yan enlarged portion l26 closely fitting` the hole 19, thereby preventing any play vof said bolt insaid hole.

The holder 20 is provided with an opening 27 which'is smaller than the opening 17 and with a channel 28 adjacent'the edges of said opening, similar to the channel 1S. Said channel is formed inthe holder 20 between the edges of the opening 27 and a plurality of holes 29. A Vnegative 30 rests on the top surface of theholder 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, being partly cushioned by a strip ofyieldinf; or flexible material 31 which may be rubber, leather or the like.V LSaid strip also serves as an auxiliary seal in .obtaining the vacuum hereinafter referred to. i i

Said negative carries any desired character of design on its surface and is positioned on theholder so vthat said design will register with the opening 27. As viewed in Figi the negative isrectangular in shape, ybut it is obvious that it may be of any required profile, the shape of the the yend edgesof the clamps for a purii .i

holder 2O being then changed to suit. The negative 3() is provided with a bevel surface on its edges as at 32 and a strip of sea-ling material, preferably of rubber such as 33, is

placed against said surface and extends com-l pletely around said negative. In order to secure the negative 30 against unauthorized movement relative to the hold- Aer 20 and to eifectivelyfseal the strip 33, I'

employ the clamps 34and 35, the-former coacting through `the strip 33 with the long and the latter in the same manner with the short sides of said negative and coextensive therewith. "The clamps 34 extendV beyond pose hereinafter explained'.`

A recess 36 is' cut in the underside of each4 of said clamps 'to form the relatively narrow shoulder 37 which rests on the top surface 3S ofthe holder 20.` Due'to the slight width of the shoulder 37, eachof the clamps 34 and 35 is capable of a rocking action relative to the holder 20 and is therefore in effect substantially pivot-ed thereon. are further provided onV the edges adjacent to the negative 30 with the surface 39 which contacts withthe Isealing-strip 33 and is anrubber is `mounted therein, said-strip being adapted to cooperate with the sensitized plate 44 to effectively seal off the desired portion' of the same. As shown inFig. 2, the surface of the negative 30 isbutslightly below the surface of the sensitized plate 44 andtherefore when a vacuum iscreated in the space included between said surfaces and the strip 43, the plate 44 being .pliable will be moved into intimate contact with the surface of the negative. This movement is also facilitated by the yielding quality of the strip 43.

A duct 45 and said duct communicates with a nipple 46 secured to `said clamp and extending through an opening 47 in the holder 20, the diameter of said opening being greater-than the diameter of saidfnipple for a purpose hereinafter explained. Said'nipple is to be Said clamps is provided in the clamp ,35.

connected to any suitable means for exhausting the air from the space included between the-negative and the sensitized plate,

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: f

Assuming that the elements have beenassembled as shown in Fig. 2` for the purpose of transferring'a. design from a negative whose size is small-er than the normal capacity of the vacuum frame, as `exemplified by the size of the holder 13, ysaid assemblyis then moved into position opposite the sensitized plate 44 and the sealing strip 43 placed in' contact therewith, thus enclosingV the desired portion of said plate. TheA air is then exhausted from the space included between the surfaces of thenegative 30, the' sensitized plate 44 and the strip 43, thus cau-sing said plate to beinoved into intimate contact with .said negative under the influence of` atmospheric pressure.y Light-rays are then admitted through the negative `from vany suitable'vsouroe, said rays passing through the opening 27 in the holder20.

According to my method therefore,iit is unnecessaryV to print small `designs from large negatives with the vattendant difficulties of accurately positioning 'said,negative, securing an effective vacuum and excluding all unauthorized light rays. The method of nesting a plurality of .negative holders until a holder is reached, capable of securing a negative whose size is commensurate wjtli the design to betransferred, renders-coming` problems, asis apparent in the drawings. My invention alsocomprises-novel means paratively simple the solutionofthe *forego-*,190

of clamping the n-egative 30 in position and p `of securing an effective seal betweenisaid negative and clamps. After vsaid negative has been placed o n the top surface 38 of the holder 20, it is obvious thatthe same may be moved into a plurality of positions until placed in properregister position, due to the freedom 0f movement of the studs 40 in the holes 29 and of the nipple 46 in the hole 47. This facility of adjustment is particularly advantageous when the design has been placed on the negative in an asymmetrical position, an exaggeratedcondition of which is illustrated. in Fig. 3, the outline of the design being' represented by the dotted line 48. Therefore, by my construction, it is merely necessary to move the negative 3() into .the register4 positiom'place the clamps 34 Vand 35 adjacent the `edges thereof and lockthe same in position by tightening the Y nuts 41.` s

When said nuts are tightened, said clamps are substantially pivoted kabout the shoulders 37v and, due to therelativ-e angularityvof l thesurfaces 32 and 39, the interaction of said 'surfaces causes awedging or crowding of the sealing strip 33 thereagainst and' effectively sealing the passage therebetween. At

lees.

th'eends of 1the short 'clamps 35, bevel sim face 49 Vis formed which bears thefsamje angular relation vto the abutting 'surface 89 of `ythe 'long clamp 34, Vas Vdoes l'the latter'to the bevel surface 32 of the negative 30, thus Sealing oflfthis portion of the clamps 'within vthe sealingstrip 43. It is obvious that 'the provision of 'a sealing strip :between the clamps and negative. which is coeXtensii/'e with 'the :lateral kedges of 'the negative, Vis much vmore effective for the purpose of obtaining `4a. satisfactory Vacuum than clamps which'bear directly `on thenegfative. 'thelatter resting on `the scalino strip. Such has been the means used heretofore in the art: as n4has` also means -of securing the negativ-e comprising 'a plurality of separatedA clamps. When the negative rests on a strip on which prima-,ry dependence is placed for 'obtaining fa vacuum, zirregula'rities 'in the surface of said negative Afrom :the heat generated by the fpa'ssa'ge'of light-rays therethrough. It is "obviousthat tmy construction of providing a yielding sealing,lr means between the clamps, which cooperate with the negative through- 'out'their' length, and the negativ-e is a marked aclvancefovcr the means used hercto'fore.

In Fig.'

5 is illustratedv the mounting` of 'afne'gatiie v5() von theholder 113. said negative beinglarger in size'than the negative r30. `the meansL for holding said negative in position are identical Vexcept as to size with those :already described, the same will not be discussed in detail. An opening 5l. similar to thek opening'liis formed in said 'holder for the passage.therethrough of a nipple (-not'shown) for exhausting the air from the space vabove the negative 50.

While I have shown one form of myfapparatus and one `:means for effecting my #improved method, Ido not desire to be limited to the exact combinations rand manner Sai-d vSulfwe, Said means being coex'tensive 'with the "edges 0f said smaller negative,

means :forsealingoff the space included beshown, Vfor many changes, may be madetherein without departing from the spirit oit' my invention. I v.

I claim:- Y 1. Th'e'combination withfa hold-er adapted to secure a negative of one size for printing;

therefrom onto asensitized surface, ofA means for 'securing a negative of predetermined smaller size vfor printing on said surface, said means being coextensrve with the ledges tween said surf-ace and said 'smaller negative, land a :duct forexhausting the air-in said spacewhereby the portion of 'said 'surface bounding said 'space is "forced inftoengalgementwith said smaller negative. i

3. Th'e'combination with a holder adapted to secure a negative 'of'one size for printing therefrom onto a sensitized surface, of a plurality of nested holdersfor 'securing 'neigvatiyes of varying; sizes for printing on said surface, each of said holders being adapted to coextensively engage with the edges 'of they corresponding negative, imeans forsealing off the space included between said sur'- face and aneg'ative of ypredetermined size, and a duct for 'exhausting the vair'in said space whereby `the portion of said surface bounding said space is forced intoenafage-V ment with said negative. A.

4:.. The combination with a holder adapted to lsecure a negative of lonesize. for printing therefrom' -onto a sensitized surface, yof meansr for securing negativesA- of varying sizes for printingf on saidgsurface comprisingl a yplurality of nested holders. sealing'means between the edges of a negative of predetermined size and its corresponding iholderand between said holder'andtheportion of said 'surface covered thereby, and a duct forexhaus'tinq "the air fromwithin the sealed off space for causing the 'engagementof said negative andsaid portion v'of said surface.

5. In a f'acu'uni frame, the 'combination f a holder. a negative, means for securingr said negati've vto vsaid holder coextensive with the edgesof vsaid negative` yielding means he# tween said negative and said securing-means, a second yielding means between said holder and a cooperating sensitized surface. and-ia duct for ez'thausti-nnl the air from the space sealed off by said yielding nieans.

6. 1n a 'vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative movable relativeto said holder, means lfor securing said negative to said holder in y'a Vpluralitylof positions coextensiveV with the -e'dgesof said negative. yielding meanslbetween said negative and said-securing means, a'second yielding -means between said holder' and a cooperating4 sensitized surface, and. a duct for exhausting thexair from the space sealed off by said yielding-means; l

7.r In a vacuum a holder,a negative, clamps for securing said negative coextensive with the edges thereof, yielding means between said negative and clamps, the coacting portions of said negative andclamps being adapted to wedge said yielding means when said clamps are tightened, a second yielding means between said holder and a cooperating sensitized surface, and a duct for exhausting the airfrom the space sealed off by said yielding means.

8. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative provided with beveled edges, clamps for coacting with each of said beveled edges to secure said negative and provided with edges angularly disposed to and coextensive with said first named edges, yielding means betweeneacli pair of coacting edges, a sec-ond yieldingmeans between said holder and a cooperating sensitized surface, and a duct for exhausting the air from the space sealed offbysaid yielding means.

9. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative, clamps for securing said negative substantially pivotally mounted on said holder in directions normal to the design surface of said negative and coexteiisive i with the edges thereof, yielding means between said negative and clamps, -a secondyielding means between said holder and a cooperating sensitized surface, and a duct for exhausting the air from the space sealed olf byV said yielding means.

10. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, anegative provided with beveled edges, clamps for securing said negative substantially pivotally mounted on said holder in directionsnormal to the dcsign'sui'face of said negative and providedwitli edges Vangulai-ly disposed to and coextensive with said first named edges for v'coacting therewith,

yielding means between each pair of coacting edges, a second yielding means between said holder anda cooperating sensitized surface,

and a duct for exhausting the air from the f space sealed off by said yielding means.

'11. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative, clamps for securing said negative coextensive withi-eachlateral edge thereof, yielding means between said negative and clamps, a second yielding means be-` yielding means between said negative and said securing means, a second yielding .means frame, the combination of means. 1

`18. The Vcombination with a holder adapt-- ed to secure a negative of one size for printing therefrom onto a sensitized surface, of a plurality of nested holders for securing neg-4 atives -of varying sizes for printing on said surface, each of said holders being adapted to asymmetrically secure a selected negative to a .holder of corresponding size, means for sealing off the space included between said surface and said selected negative, and a duct for exhausting the air in said space whereby the portion of said surface bounding said space is forced into engagement with said negative.

14E. rIhe combination with a holder adapted to secure a negative of one size for printing therefrom onto a sensitized surface, of a plurality of nested holders forsecuring negatives'Y of varyingsizes for printing on said surface, each of said holders being arrangedk l 90 to coextensively engage with the edges of a corresponding negative, yielding `means between said corresponding vnegative Vand its holder, a second yielding means between said holder and said surface, and a duct for ex liausting the air from the space sealed off by said yielding means. Y

15. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative movable relative to said holder, means for securing said negative to raid holder in a plurality of positions, means for sealing off the space included between said holder and a'cooperating sensitized surface, and a duct for exhausting the air from said space.

16. In a vacuum frame, the combination of a holder, a negative, clamps for securing said negative substantially pivotally mounted on said holder in directions normal to the deand a cooperating sensitized surface, and a duct for exhausting the'air from said space.

V18. In a printing frame, the combination of a holder, a negative, and clamps for securing said negative substantially pivotally mounted on said holder in directions normal to the design surface of said negative, said clamps engaging coextensively with the edges of said negative.

i offthe space included between said negative Y i 19. Ina vacuum frame, the combination o1 a holder, a negative, means for securingsaid negative to said holder coextensive with the edges of said negative, yielding meansbemamen;

tween seidE negative and.y sadsecurng means,v`

wfsecpnyieldfmgfmeans carried by Said. Sefil curing: means fon engagement with abcooperting sensitized surface, and a duet'A for:

.fr exhaustingvthe air from the space seal'edoi by: Seid-yielding means 20. n Ifnzwacuum frame, the cemblnatiomof thereof-5 yieldiug: means between said niega 10 tive and clamps, e second yielding means carried by said Clamps for engagementwith a` coopelraingsensitized z surfae, Y and a1 duct foi; exhausting thel ain from the; space sealed:

o leyh said; yielding; means; 15

In testimony whereof,Iljaixmysignatune.

GEORGE., REIN. 

